IPPAN Inaugurates Exco In Makurdi The Independent Print-Media Publishers Association of Nigeria (IPPAN) in Makurdi, the Benue State capital today, 31st October, 2011 inaugurated her new Exco. The event which took place at Empire Suites ushered in the exco which was elected, 14th October, 2011. The new IPPAN Exco include Tahav Agerzua as Chairman, Ode Enyi as Vice President and Edward Aki as Sec-Gen. Others are: Samson Kukwa Yanor, P.R.O; Samuel Ogbaji, Treasurer; Maurice Tsav, Fin. Sec.; Jiji Jack, Social Secretary; Nelson Ogbu, Asst. Sec; Ray Num, Legal Adviser; and Lawrence Okwe, Auditor. The exco also has three Ex-Official members who are Anawah I.J, Simon Okewu and Babs Osigbe as Ex-officio I, II, III respectively.

IPPAN Inaugurates Exco

BSPC/UNFPA Celebrate As World Population Hits 7 Billion

BSPC/UNFPA Celebrate As World Population Hits 7 Billion

By Damian Daga

As the world marks the 7 billion population mark today, 31^st October, 2011, the Benue State Planning Commission (BSPC) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has lined up activities for celebrating the historic day.

According to a statement from the office of the Benue State Planning Commission, signed by Director, Population and Development, Tersoo Nomyongo on behalf of the Commission’s DG/CEO, Mrs. Dorcas Ukpe and made available to the media, they are scheduled to present gifts to the mother of the 7^th billionth child to be birthed at midnight, 31^st October, 2011 in Makurdi, Benue State.

The statement outlined that the significance of the celebration is meant to lay emphasis on the growing world population in light of the attendant socio-economic issues especially as it relates to vulnerable groups such as women, children and the physically challenged.

Other activities lined up to commemorate the day include a radio talk show and press conference to highlight the significance of the day to be held by Mrs. Ukpe among other discussants. Also, a media and youth event is lined up to mark the day in grand style.

Speaking earlier in a media parley in her office, the DG BSPC who noted that the theme of the population celebration is “lack of planning, is planning to fail” enumerated that the Benue State’s government policy plan, Our Benue, Our Future emphasises on education and empowerment of girls and women, boys and men for the development of the state.

To this end, she called on all and sundry to support the Suswam administration the world marches towards the 7 billion population mark in order to invest in human capital development in the state for future assets.

In another development, the UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin in a statement said, “our world of 7 billion presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities. We must meet the challenges and seize the opportunities now to chart a sustainable, equitable, healthy and socially just path to the future.”

His statement brings to the fore the fact that 7 billion is not the story of a number, “it is the story of the people. 7 billion people who need enough food, enough energy, good opportunities in life for job, education, rights and freedom.”

Little wonder, Mrs. Ukpe enthused that Benue State is part of the global celebration with the full knowledge of the challenges the population growth attracts but is poised to surmount them.

A Day With Bongos Ikwue

A Day With Bongos Ikwue

By Damian Daga

Although I have heard the saying that “talk is cheap,” it made more sense recently when I had the unforgettable opportunity of meeting a musical legend of our time, the talented and effervescent Bongos Ikwue. I was a first hand spectator at a voice over session at his studio at the Double K Resort in Otukpo. The experience gave me the opportunity to have a sneak preview into the new compositions that he is compiling into an album to be released soon. So to say, I got an exclusive taste of some of the songs in his emergent album which includes Nigeria Has Come To Stay among others. Yours truly also met his backups—his two talented daughters – Jennifer and Omei, who, like their father, have taken to music as a soothing, stimulating sideshow to their educational and professional engagements.

I could not but notice the blend of jazz fusion, folk and highlife in most of the songs in the upcoming album. These rhythms and lyrics were smoothly integrated to be inspirational, soothing and morally instructive.

It is pertinent to note that Bongos Ikwue who has come full circle is back to composing songs and performing on stage. After taking a diversion from his musical locale to delve into construction and contracts, he is back full swing to his first constituency which he used to impart so much teaching to people far and near. That is warm heartening to people who relied on his music for relaxation, entertainment and inspiration characterized by timeless songs such as What’s Gonna Be’s, Gonna Be.

Earlier, before the voice over session, Bongos who received me at the reception of Double K Resort quickly took me to meet some of his band members who were on their way out to refresh after a practice session that afternoon. Subsequently, he took your truly to the resort’s restaurant for refreshment and a meal. Interestingly, he sat at the same table with me and we both ordered for rice which we ate. After the meal which was delicious by all standards, he took me to the presidential suite and annex of Double K Resort to meet his eldest daughter, Keke. The producer of the award winning Inale received warmly just like the father did. We got talking and while I was involved in an interview with Keke, Bongos left us to attend to other matters until we rounded up and met him at the resort several minutes later.

There is no gainsaying that on our }myself and Bongos’ daughters (Keke, Omei and Jennifer’s} arrival at the main Resort, Bongos took his leave to go and freshen up and adequately kept me in the Resort’s Bush Bar to wait for him over a cold drink. I was about to finish sipping on my drink when he drove in and came to meet me. He then took me upstairs to witness the show – the voice over recording session.

While in the studio located upstairs and above the resort’s conference hall with a see through mirrored wall overlooking the conference hall, I came to terms with the making of Bongos Ikwue’s new music. Fully equipped with a Yamaha M76 console/mixer, sleek HP desk top computer running on Pro Tools software and an adjoining studio with microphone and all manner of music instruments, the stage seemed set for launching Bongos back into the music scene with a bang. I was able to gather that the music icon has so far penned down over 40 tracks! This number is an amazing collection that can run Bongos a whole retinue of albums for posterity and generations yet unborn to keep remembering him.

As earlier stated; Bongos harped much on the saying that “talk is cheap” and would not comment on himself, his music or business. Rather, he opined that I speak with other people and report what I see. Isn’t that amazing? Well, he kept mum on several things except issues of record, however, I was able to deduce that he is hardworking, blunt and does not pretend and of course, is likeable as well as down to earth.

To this end, I waited to interview the people who are working hand in hand and day in, day out to wax Bongos Ikwue’s new music. These amongst others include the 7 man band members, studio engineers and Bongos Ikwue’s delectable backup singers. Most had not returned as at when I was about to take my leave at twilight so I settled to speak with four who include, Omei Bongos-Ikwue, John Degbe, Kingsley Ekwueme and Emeka Mokogwu. Have a feel of their opinion of Bongos and his music below:

John Degbe who is a drummer from the Republic of Benin says working with Bongos is a childhood dream realized and they are looking forward to a wonderful time ahead.

According to him, they are trying their hands on a fusion of several music genres because they are not only thinking of Nigeria but the global perspective. “I am happy to be part of the Bongos Ikwue and Double X project and I learn everyday,” he added.

In her submission, backup singer and Bongos’ daughter, Omei says she is privileged working with her father adding that because she likes music, working with him expands her music credibility.

“This new work which has a fusion of modern elements and highlife among others can take him anywhere and as far as he wants to go because people respond to good music,” she enthused.

Meanwhile, Bongos’ Studio Engineer, Emeka Mokogwu rated the legend high stated thus: “He is the best in his field. I have not seen anybody sing as close as he. His harmonies are different from others. He sings his own music and I love that.”

In his remark, the Studio Assistant/keyboardist, Kingsley Ekwueme maintained that when he met Bongos, it did not take five minutes to like him. He went further to state that he found out that Bongos has a serious vision of which five of his type can change this country to a better place.

“I have decided to adopt his philosophy – the only religion in this world is work and the only sin is laziness. Practically work and work is what he does, musically and otherwise,” stated Ekwueme.

He submits further that Bongos challenges them because they sleep in the studio together, eat together and yet, he is never tired and that spurs them to work.

“He’s been off the music scene for 30 years so he is coming back to fill any gap, blank space and years that passed by his new songs because they are bigger and better,” he added.

By and large, Bongos’ main musical standard aims to convey a some what “glocal” vision devoid of ghetto music but giving emphasis to local appeal laced with much classic and global outlook. It is believed in several quarters that his return to music should draw the same success he has come to be known with. Suffice to say that through his BIK Entertainment company which produced the award winning Inale Bongos would replicate the success story. More so that his hospitality industry anchored by Double K Resort and contract firm are both successful, let us cross our fingers and watch Bongos Ikwue and the Double X re-enact the magic of Bongos Ikwue and the Groovies of days gone by.

The time spent with him was inspiring as well as memorable after all; it is not every day that you spend so much resourceful time with a legend and trailblazer.